| Defender of the Fatherland Day | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:%D0%A2-72%D0%91_%D0%92%D0%BE%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B6%D1%91%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85_%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BB_%D0%9A%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%85%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0.JPG) A T-72 tank during a Defender of the Fatherland Day parade in 2015. | |
| Official name | Отан Қорғаушы күні |
| Also called | Army Day Armed Forces Day |
| Observed by |  Kazakhstan |
| Liturgical color | Light Blue |
| Significance | Commemorates the founding of the Kazakh Armed Forces |
| Celebrations |
|
| Observances | Military parade on Independence Square in Astana (On special occasions it is held at the Otar Military Base in Jambyl Region.) |
| Date | May 7 |
| Next time | May 7, 2025 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Kazakhstan Independence Day |
Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakh: Отан Қорғаушы күні, Otan Qorğauşy künı) is a national holiday celebrated annually on May 7, commemorating the founding of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. The event is marked by military parades, fireworks and ceremonies all around the country.[1][2] The holiday is perceived in society as "a men’s day" and is considered to be the Kazakh analogue to the International Women’s Day.[3]
On May 7, 1992, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree on the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In October 2012, President Nazarbayev signed a further decree giving the holiday a status as a national holiday and enshrining it into law.[4][5] National celebrations are usually led by the President of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff.
- ^ a b "Kazakhstan celebrates Defender's Day". Inform.kz. 7 May 2018.
- ^ "Defenders of the Fatherland Day in Kazakhstan. Congratulations on Defender of the Fatherland Day in Kazakhstan". geek-tips.github.io. Archived from the original on 2019-11-06.
- ^ "Today Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day | Kazakh TV".
- ^ "Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day". En.trend.az (in Russian). 2013-05-07. Retrieved 2017-09-01.
- ^ "Defender of the Fatherland Day in Kazakhstan". Archived from the original on 2018-01-20. Retrieved 2018-01-20.